Have $100, want to put it toward a prime lens. which one?

[Aharami]

The obvious choice is 50mm 1.8 or 1.4. But I already have a Tamron 17-50 2.8. Im wondering if the 50mm prime would be redundant and if I should consider the 100mm f/2 or the 35mm f/2

This will be used on a XSi.

After reading this, Im leaning toward the 50mm f/1.4 over the f/1.8 (if I end up getting a 50mm prime)

I currently have
Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (non VR)
Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6

Should I go for the 100mm f/2?

As of now, Im only looking at Canon primes, but Im open to other suggestions

Your thoughts are much appreciated

 

[xchangx]

I would shoot for the 100 f2

 

[Maximus96]

if you're only going to spend $100, you have no other choice than the 50mm 1.8 II. I would much rather save up another $300 and buy a Sigma 30mm 1.4

 

[Aharami]

no no, i have a $100 VISA gift card that I got from my company. I'd like to put that toward a lens (along with my own money)
why do you recommend the sigma 30 1.4? any particular reason?

 

[funks]

Hmmm, how about a Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM? check the lens archive. It has the same build quality as the Canon EF 28MM f1.8 w/ Ring USM (much better than the 50 1.4 or the non Ring USM primes).

Great for portraits especially outside the house (including wedding), and basketball games, street shot candids - but a bit too long when inside the house when used on a crop cam (it has a FOV equivalent of around 135mm, using it inside means you'll just get a head shot). The 100mm prime is quite awkward IMHO, on a crop cam.

+1 for the Sigma 30 1.4 - but his Tamron already covers that range and is sharp / and fairly fast lens at that.

As for the Canon 50 f1.4 - I'd say pass on it for now until they make a MKII version with Ring USM (and your Tamron also covers this Focal Length already). That gear based clutch mechanism is quite fragile.

 

[Aharami]

hmm i completely forgot about the 85mm f/1.8. Before my SLR days, one of my friend took a picture of me and my then fiancee with his XTi and 85mm f/1.8. I was simply stunned at how sharp the picture was.

Thanks for putting that in the mix

 

[ElFenix]

is the 100 f/2.8 macro in your range? it's still a very good portrait lens (ridiculously sharp and great bokeh) and has the added benefit of true macro.

 

[Maximus96]

the 85 1.8 is a very good lens for the money. for in door shots, its mostly relegated to head shots. but when you're outside with room to step back, then it's pretty amazing.

the 100mm non-IS macro is also a good outdoor portrait lens. i had it for a while but sold it because i find myself not shooting nearly as much macro as i thought i would and its too long for indoor shots. 100mm and 2.8 is too long and slow indoors, especially on a 1.6x crop.

the sigma 30mm prime on a 1.6x crop will get you close to the "normal" 50mm range. its the best lens for the price in that focal range. the canon 35mm 2.0 and 35mm 1.4 L either sucks compared to it, or is 3x the cost, respectively. sure the tamron also covers 30mm but it can't shoot at anything below f/2.8. the sigma would complement the tamron, instead of replacing. however, you may find that once you use the sigma 30, you might not use the tamron much anymore and instead settle with foot zooming because the image quality really is that much better.

and if you're considering the 50mm range, get the sigma 50mm 1.4 instead of the canon offerings, unless you're looking at the 50L

 

[shocksyde]

Get the Sigma 30 1.4 if you have a body with micro-adjustment, otherwise get the 85 1.8. I've owned both and both are awesome. I personally prefer the 30 1.4 b/c it fits my shooting style better.

 

[Maximus96]

yea thats the problem with sigmas and their poor quality control. but if you get lucky and get one that nails focus the first time then you're golden. otherwise you can send it in for calibration to adjust the focus, or buy from amazon with easy return

 

[angry hampster]

yea thats the problem with sigmas and their poor quality control. but if you get lucky and get one that nails focus the first time then you're golden. otherwise you can send it in for calibration to adjust the focus, or buy from amazon with easy return

I guarantee that less than 5% of Sigma lenses leave the factory with focusing issues. Same can be said of Canon, whose 24-70 f/2.8, a $1300 lens, was notorious at one point for misfocusing.


I've bought four Sigma lenses in the last five years, and have had zero focusing issues with them. I've also bought six Canon lenses in the last five years, and one of them did have focusing problems, the 50mm f/1.4.

 

[oogabooga]

I have the 50mm 1.8 on a XSi and it's been a nice. It is somewhat zoomed in on the crop body so indoors I'm somewhat limited to shooting. Outdoors it is great.

If you are willing to spend the money, I can only imagine the 1.4 being better. The nicest thing about the 1.8 is that it's a nice lens for cheap.

 

[Maximus96]

have to be careful with the plastic 50mm 1.8, the one my friend has just broke one day...the front just literally fell off when it was hunting for focus...he was able to snap it back but focus is now way off, but its so cheap you can just go buy another without any heartburns...

 

[Aharami]

so i'm going to buy the Canon 85mm 1.8. after seeing the sample pics in the archive thread funks linked, i fell in love. From what ive read on potn and slrgear, the Canon 50 1.4 isnt sharp at all wide open. The Sigma 50 1.4 is a lot better (albeit more expensive)
Im thinking of pairing the 85mm with a 50 1.8

I found a guy on CL who is willing to go down to $300 for lens, hood, and UV filter. If I'd started my search one day earlier, I couldve bought it from a guy who sold his for $250!

Since this will be my first lens purchase off CL, what should I look out for other than the obvious signs of abuse? I'll be taking a focus chart with me.

 

[funks]

I bought my 85 from Ebay (Adorama) for around 350$ after BIN bing cashback (8&#37, it's not too far off what you are paying via CL.

The holy trinity in L lenses and focal lengths for a Full Frame camera is the 35L, 85L, and the 135L I believe.

I'm trying to get a similar FOV from my crop cam using prime EF lenses (my disposable income doesn't allow me to afford such lenses, nor do I need talent to put said lenses to good use). So now, I have the EF 28mm f1.8 (Great Build Quality, Ring USM), EF 85mm f1.8 (Great Build Quality - same as the 28, Ring USM) but will be ignoring the fifty. The 28 goes with me to parties (easy to step forward, but hard to step back), and I use the 85 outside (can easily step back to widen the FOV).

My next lens purchase won't be a lens at all - lol, it'll be a Panasonic GF-1 with the 20mm f1.7 pancake lens. Demand is still outstripping supply hence price gouging is still in effect

Good luck with the purchase, and post pics :] Oh yeah, before gauging how good your 85mm is, make sure you take pictures without the UV filter. Some UV filters degrade IQ especially when used on primes.